I am in week 7 of this 8-week course, so things are really coming down to the wire. We are currently in the middle of our team project and learning how to do A/B Testing. This morning, I learned how to clone the client’s website and set up Google Forms for our survey. Although my courses are fast-paced, they contain interesting material that keeps my attention and makes me learn new things almost every day .

Some of the other things we’ve learned and done this term:

• Content guide assessment
• Peer reviews
• Revising for plain language
• Creating tone of voice versions
• Using GenAI for analysis
• A/B testing proposal
• Slide deck
  

There is a lot of information packed into these courses, but all of it has real-world applications for technical communicators.

Using AI in assignments
I first heard about AI from my spouse, who is a software engineer. I didn’t give it much thought because it seemed like something I would never have the opportunity to use. Little did I know that AI was already finding its way into daily life. Many commerce sites use AI chatbots for customer service, grammar-checkers use AI to proofread documents, and even an AI function is available here on WordPress.

My first stance on using AI for schoolwork was that I would only use it to proofread and enhance the text I had created, not to generate text from scratch. I believe I answered a survey at the end of last term in that exact manner. As always, never say never, and keep an open mind because it’s likely to change!

This term, we learned to use ChatGPT, a generative AI called natural language processing. It combines language and machine modeling to analyze, understand, and generate text speech.

Photo credit: Ascend.io

We used ChatGPT in several different ways for our coursework. We used it to conduct peer reviews of assignments, generate two different versions with varying tones of voice of a source text, and complete tasks for an A/B Testing group project. After these experiences, my stance on how and when to use AI has changed. There is a time and place for using the tool, and experience coaxing out your intended content is beneficial. However, as ChatGPT stands now, it is a beneficial tool rather than a replacement for writers.

(Just for fun, I used WordPress’s Jetpack AI assistant to generate a featured image for this blog post’s header!)

Something impactful for my career
My previous course was the first graduate course I took in technical communication. It also was the first course of any kind that I took in technical communication. To say I didn’t know what I was doing is an understatement. When we reached the team project portion of the course, I was very thankful that I was paired with two other students already employed in technical communication. I rarely spoke up or contributed to discussions out of insecurity, though I contributed plenty with my research and writing. By the end of the project, I had my feet underneath me and felt much more confident in my abilities.

Fast-forward to the beginning of the team project in my current course, and I feel like a new person. I jumped in from day one and helped guide the discussion and decision-making. I took initiative, and I asked for help—all of the things that I was too insecure to do before. And the best part was that it wasn’t intentional; it was entirely the result of the confidence I’ve gained along the way.

This course has not only equipped me with more technical skills needed in technical communication but has changed my approach to learning and collaboration. Reflecting on the timid participant I was in my first course, I now see a professional who is not only eager but capable of leading, innovating, and contributing significantly to complex projects. This evolution came about by embracing every learning opportunity and the supportive environment my teammates and instructor fostered.

I look forward to continuing this growth as I start my career. My goal is to apply these skills and also to support others who are starting their journey in technical fields, just as I was by my team. This blog is a testament to the growth and possibilities that come with stepping out of one’s comfort zone, persevering, and embracing every opportunity for improvement.

Considerations for future students in this course
How to succeed: Be open to the use of AI tools
I enjoyed the tutorial and the assignments that involved the use of ChatGPT and its natural language processing. Learning to use tools like this really opened up my eyes to how revolutionary they are.
Technical communicators need to be multi-taskers; this is one way to work smarter, not harder.
What to avoid: Rushing through things
Even though this 8-week course is fast-paced and packed with work to complete, take your time, read through all the information provided, and make a plan. Staying organized will reduce errors and keep you on track to succeed.